New home questions

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tonype

Senior Member
Location
New Jersey
New townhouse (had "Final" approval on the main box)

1. Wiring to fire pump - are zip ties supports to the water pipe legit?

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/TonyPE/IMGP0528.jpg

2. Terminal bar in main panel not plumb - can this inadquate inadequte securing to the panel (I have never seen this before)?

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/TonyPE/IMGP0521.jpg

3. HVAC plenum return duct - took the cover off - 2 open boxes (I think at least one was for a receptalce that was abandoned when they realized it interfered with the return grill). Even if cover plates are provided to these boxes, are these allowed in a return plenum?

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/TonyPE/IMGP0530.jpg
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Location
Iowegia
I'm not an inspector, so I can't speak for the zip ties. But I might call you on 'subject to physical damage'.

The ground bar in #2 is a Square D bar and requires two screws to install per instructions. 110.3(B) then.

#3 will be directed to 300.22(C).
 

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
Ken got exactly what I would have said except that the ground bar may have 2 screws-- I have been know to drill and tap my own threads. My bet there is only one screw.
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Location
Iowegia
Ken got exactly what I would have said except that the ground bar may have 2 screws-- I have been know to drill and tap my own threads. My bet there is only one screw.


Every SqD I've ever put in has two. Maybe the overseas manufacturer missed putting in the two screws into the little plastic bag, but they probably require two per the instructions.

With only one, the whole bar will twist just like the photo shows when you tighten any of the terminals.

Some times, in existing panels, it's a royal pain to install the bar in the factory holes, so I drill & tap my own in a more convenient location. But it still gets two.
 

Cow

Senior Member
Location
Eastern Oregon
Occupation
Electrician
The ground bar in #2 is a Square D bar and requires two screws to install per instructions. 110.3(B) then.

That looks like a Siemens bar. Sq D grd bars use square drive set screws with a shoulder on them, those are slotted like Siemens uses. The second screw securing the bar to the can should be behind the neutral wire where you can't see it.

I don't see anything wrong with installing it crooked, other than asthetics. But, seeing how it's the wrong brand bar for that panel, it's installed over the warning stickers and most likely not using the factory screw holes to secure it to the can I'm sure the inspectors over here would want you to remove the paint under it.
 

tonype

Senior Member
Location
New Jersey
In follow-up to your comment that the terminal bar is a Siemens, a few breakers in this panel, as well as most in a sub-panel, are Siemens (even though Square D Homeline panels are present).
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Location
Iowegia
You guys got better eyes than I do!
phiphi.gif
 

George Stolz

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
Occupation
Service Manager
In follow-up to your comment that the terminal bar is a Siemens, a few breakers in this panel, as well as most in a sub-panel, are Siemens (even though Square D Homeline panels are present).
110.3(B) on the Siemens breakers in the Homeline panel, as well, then.

Man, that's pretty depressing work for a new home.
icon9.png
 

hurk27

Senior Member
Is that large green conductor at the bottom of the grounding bar an GEC? if main service panel it should be on the neutral bar, if sub panel it should be to the main disconnect, if it is the EGC from the main service disconnect then non of the above applies:grin:

It looks like the JB box in last photo was an add on to extend the wires, and the grill was installed to make it accessible?
 

Little Bill

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Tennessee NEC:2017
Occupation
Semi-Retired Electrician
New townhouse (had "Final" approval on the main box)

1. Wiring to fire pump - are zip ties supports to the water pipe legit?

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/TonyPE/IMGP0528.jpg

2. Terminal bar in main panel not plumb - can this inadquate inadequte securing to the panel (I have never seen this before)?

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/TonyPE/IMGP0521.jpg

3. HVAC plenum return duct - took the cover off - 2 open boxes (I think at least one was for a receptalce that was abandoned when they realized it interfered with the return grill). Even if cover plates are provided to these boxes, are these allowed in a return plenum?

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/TonyPE/IMGP0530.jpg


Why do they have all those EGCs twisted together?
 

stew

Senior Member
if those zip ties are on the hot water line I am not liking that. plenum stuff is shoddy at best . looks like only one screw on the gnd bar also. our ahjs would never buy the siemans breakers in the homeline panel. panel left contaminated with dust. ugggghhhhlllyyy. gotta wonder what the covered stuff looks like in my opinion.
 
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